.3 a cargo ship, whenever
built, which is converted to a passenger ships shall be treated as a passenger
ship constructed on the date on which such a conversion commences.

4 For ships constructed before 1 July 1986, the Administration
shall:

.1 ensure that, subject to
the provisions of paragraphs 4.2 and 4.3, the requirements which are applicable
under chapter III of the International Convention for the Safety of Life at
Sea, 1974, in force prior to 1 July 1986 to new or existing ships as prescribed
by that chapter are complied with;

.2 consider the life-saving
appliances and arrangements in ships which do not comply with the requirements
referred to in paragraph 4.1, with a view to securing, so far as this is
reasonable and practicable and as early as possible, substantial compliance
with those requirements;

.3 ensure that when
life-saving appliances or arrangements on such ships are replaced or such ships
undergo repairs, alterations or modifications of a major character which
involve replacement of, or any addition to, their existing life-saving
appliances or arrangements, such life-saving appliances or arrangements, in so
far as is reasonable and practicable, comply with the requirements of this
chapter. However, if a survival craft is replaced without replacing its
launching appliance, or vice versa, the survival craft or launching appliance
may be of the same type as that replaced;

.4 approve the life-saving
appliances to be provided in compliance with paragraph 6. The Administration
may permit those life-saving appliances provided on board ships prior to 1 July
1991 not to comply fully with the requirements of this chapter as long as they
remain in a satisfactory condition;

.5 except as provided for
survival craft and launching appliances referred to in paragraph 4.3, ensure
that life-saving appliances replaced or installed on or after 1 July 1991 are
evaluated, tested and approved in accordance with the requirements of
regulations 4 and 5.

6 With respect to ships constructed before 1 February 1992,
regulation III/6.2, shall apply not later than 1 February 1995.

Regulation 2.
Exemptions

1 The Administration may, if it considers that the sheltered
nature and conditions of the voyage are such as to render the application of
any specific requirements of this chapter unreasonable or unnecessary, exempt
from those requirements individual ships or classes of ships which, in the
course of their voyage, do not proceed more than 20 miles from the nearest
land.

2 In the case of passenger ships which are employed in special
trades for the carriage of large numbers of special trade passengers such as
the pilgrim trade, the Administration, if satisfied that it is impracticable to
enforce compliance with the requirements of this chapter, may exempt such ships
from those requirements, provided that such ships comply fully with the
provision of:

.1 the rules annexed to the Special
Trade Passenger Ships Agreement, 1971; and

.2 the rules annexed to the
Protocol on Space Requirements for Special Trade Passenger Ships, 1973.

Regulation 3.
Definitions

For the purpose of this chapter, unless expressly provided
otherwise:

1 Certificated person is a person who holds a certificate of
proficiency in survival craft issued under the authority of, or recognized as
valid by, the Administration in accordance with the requirements of the
International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and
Watchkeeping for Seafarers, in force; or a person who holds a certificate
issued or recognized by the Administration of a State not a Party to that
Convention for the same purpose as the convention certificate.

2 Detection is the determination of the location of survivors or
survival craft.

4 Float-free launching is that method of launching a survival
craft whereby the craft is automatically released from a sinking ship and is
ready for use.

5 Free-fall launching is that method of launching a survival craft
whereby the craft with its complement of persons and equipment on board is
released and allowed to fail into the sea without any restraining apparatus.

6 Immersion suit is a protective suit which reduces the body
heat-loss of a person wearing it in cold water.

7 Inflatable appliance is an appliance which depends upon
non-rigid, gas filled chambers for buoyance and which is normally kept
uninflated until ready for use.

8 Inflated appliance is an appliance which depends upon non-rigid,
gas filled chambers for buoyancy and which is kept inflated and ready for use
at all times.

9 Launching appliances or arrangements is a means of transferring
a survival craft or rescue boat from its stowed position safely to the water.

10 Length is 96% of the total length on a waterline at 85% of the
least moulded depth measured from the top of the keel, or the length from the
fore-side of the stem to the axis of the rudder stock on that waterline, if
that be greater. In ships designed with a rake of keel the waterline on which
this is measured shall be parallel to the designed waterline.

11 Moulded depth

.1 The moulded depth is the
vertical distance measured from the top of the keel to the top of the freeboard
deck beam at side. In wood and composite ships the distance is measured from
the lower edge of the keel rabbet. Where the form at the lower part of the
midship section is of a hollow character, or where thick garboards are fitted,
the distance is measured from the point where the line of the flat of the
bottom continued inwards cuts the side of the keel.

.2 In ships having rounded
gunwales, the moulded depth shall be measured to the point of intersection of
the moulded lines of the deck and side shell plating, the lines extending as
though the gunwales were of angular design.

.3 Where the freeboard deck
is stepped and the raised part of the deck extends over the point at which the
moulded depth is to be determined, the moulded depth shall be measured to a
line of reference extending from the lower part of the deck along a line
parallel with the raised part.

12 Novel life-saving appliance or arrangement is a life-saving
appliance or arrangement which embodies new features not fully covered by the
provisions of this chapter but which provides an equal or higher standard of
safety.

13 Rescue boat is a boat designed to rescue persons in distress
and to marshal survival craft.

14 Retrieval is the safe recovery of survivors.

15 Retro-reflective material is a material which reflects in the
opposite direction a beam of light directed on it.

16 Short international voyage is an international voyage in the
course of which a ship is not more than 200 miles from a port or place in which
the passengers and crew could be placed in safety. Neither the distance between
the last port of call in the country in which the voyage begins and the final
port of destination nor the return voyage shall exceed 600 miles. The final
port of destination is the last port of call in the scheduled voyage at which
the ship commences its return voyage to the country in which the voyage began.

17 Survival craft is a craft capable of sustaining the lives of
persons in distress from the time of abandoning the ship.

18 Thermal protective aid is a bag or suit made of waterproof
material with low thermal conductivity.

1 Except as provided in paragraphs 5 and 6, life-saving appliances
and arrangements required by this chapter shall be approved by the
Administration.

2 Before giving approval to life-saving appliances and
arrangements, the Administration shall ensure that such life-saving appliances
and arrangements:

.1 are tested, to confirm
that they comply with the requirements of this chapter, in accordance with the
recommendations of the Organization:*

or

.2 have successfully
undergone, to the satisfaction of the Administration, tests which are
substantially equivalent to those specified in those recommendations.

3 Before giving approval to novel life-saving appliances or
arraignments, the Administration shall ensure that such appliances or arrangements:

.1 provide safety standards
at least equivalent to the requirements of this chapter and have been evaluated
and tested in accordance with the recommendations of the Organization;** or

.2 have successfully
undergone, to the satisfaction of the Administration, evaluation and tests
which are substantially equivalent to those recommendations.

4 Procedures adopted by the Administration for approval shall also
include the conditions whereby approval would continue or would be withdrawn.

________

* Reference is made to the
"Recommendation on Testing of life-Saving Appliances" adopted by the
Organization in resolution A.689(17).

** Reference is made to the
"Code of Practice for the Evaluation, Testing and Acceptance of Prototype
Novel Life-Saving Appliances and Arrangements" adopted by the Organization
in resolution A.520(13).

5 Before accepting life-saving appliances and arrangements that
have not been previously approved by the Administration, the Administration
shall be satisfied that life-saving appliances and arrangements comply with the
requirements of this chapter.

6 Life-saving appliances required by this chapter for which
detailed specifications are not included in part С shall be to the satisfaction
of the Administration.

Regulation 5.
Production tests

The Administration shall require life-saving appliances to be
subjected to such production tests as are necessary to ensure that the
life-saving appliances are manufactured to the same standard as the approved
prototype.

PART В - SHIP
REQUIREMENTS

Section I -
PASSENGER SHIPS AND CARGO SHIPS

Regulation 6.Communications

1 Paragraph 2 applies to all passenger ships and to all cargo
ships of 300 tons gross tonnage and upwards. With respect to ships constructed
before 1 February 1992, paragraph 2 shall apply not later than 1 February 1995.
However, ships other than cargo ships of 300 tons gross tonnage and upwards but
less than 500 tons gross tonnage which do not comply with paragraph 2 shall
comply with all applicable requirements of chapter III of the International
Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974 in force prior to 1 February
1992.

2 Radio life-saving appliances

2.1 Two-way VHF radiotelephone apparatus

2.1.1 At least three two-way
VHF radiotelephone apparatus shall be provided on every passenger ship and on
every cargo ship of 500 tons gross tonnage and upwards. At least two two-way
VHF radiotelephone apparatus shall be provided on every cargo ship of 300 tons
gross tonnage and upwards but less than 500 tons gross tonnage. Such apparatus
shall conform to performance standards not inferior to those adopted by the
Organization**. If a fixed two-way VHF radiotelephone apparatus is fitted in a
survival craft it shall conform to performance standards not inferior to those
adopted by the Organization**.

_______

* Regulations III/6.2.3 and
6.2.4 and as applicable regulations III/6.2.1, 6.2.2, 10.6, 38.3.2, 41.7.8 and
42.5 in force prior to 1 February 1992 (1983 SOLAS amendments). See also
resolution 4 of the 1988 GMDSS Conference.

** Reference is made to the
"Performance Standards for Survival Craft Two-Way VHF Radiotelephone
Apparatus", adopted by the Organization by resolution A.605(15).

2.1.2 Two-way VHF
radiotelephone apparatus provided on board ships prior to 1 February 1992 and
not complying fully with the performance standards adopted by the Organization may be accepted by the Administration
until 1 February 1999 provided the Administration is satisfied that they are
compatible with approved two-way VHF radiotelephone apparatus.

2.2 Radar
transponders

At least one radar transponder shall be carried on each side of
every passenger ship and of every cargo ship of 500 tons gross tonnage and
upwards. At least one radar transponder shall be carried on every cargo ship of
300 tons gross tonnage and upwards but less than 500 tons gross tonnage. Such
radar transponders shall conform to performance standards not inferior to those
adopted by the Organization*. The radar transponders** shall be stowed in such
locations that they can be rapidly placed in any survival craft other than the
liferaft or liferafts required by regulation III/ 26.1.4. Alternatively one
radar transponder shall be stowed in each survival craft other than those
required by regulation III/26.1.4.

_______

* Reference is made to the
"Performance Standards for Survival Craft Radar Transponders for Use in
Search and Rescue Operations", adopted by the Organization by resolution
A.697(17).

** One of these radar
transponders may be the radar transponder required by regulation IV/7.1.3.

3 Distress flares

Not less than 12 rocket parachute flares, complying with the
requirements of regulation III/35, shall be carried and be stowed on or near the
navigating bridge.

4 On-board communications and alarm systems

4.1 An emergency means comprised of either fixed or portable
equipment or both shall be provided for two-way communications between
emergency control stations, muster and embarkation stations and strategic
positions on board.

4.2 A general emergency alarm system complying with the
requirements of regulation III/50 shall be provided and shall be used for
summoning passengers and crew to muster stations and to initiate the actions
included in the muster list. The system shall be supplemented by either a
public address system or other suitable means of communication.

.1 so distributed as to be
readily available on both sides of the ship and as far as practicable on all
open decks extending to the ship's side; at least one shall be placed in the
vicinity of the stern;

.2 so stowed as to be
capable of being rapidly cast loose, and not permanently secured in any way.

.2 At least one lifebuoy on each side of the ship shall be fitted
with a buoyant lifeline complying with the requirements of regulation III/31.4
equal in length to not less than twice the height at which it is stowed above
the waterline in the lightest seagoing condition, or 30 m, whichever is the
greater.

1.3 Not less than one half of the total number of lifebuoys shall
be provided with self-igniting lights complying with the requirements of
regulation III/31.2; not less than two of these shall also be provided with
self-activating smoke signals complying with the requirements of regulation
III/31.3 and be capable of quick release from the navigating bridge; lifebuoys
with lights and those with lights and smoke signals shall be equally
distributed on both sides of the ship and shall not be the lifebuoys provided
with lifelines in compliance with the requirements of paragraph 1.2.

1.4 Each lifebuoy shall be marked in block capitals of the Roman
alphabet with the name and port of registry of the ship on which it is carried.

2 Lifejackets

2.1 A lifejacket complying with the requirements of regulation
III/32.1 or 32.2 shall be provided for every person on board the ship and, in
addition:

.1 a number of lifejackets
suitable for children equal to at least 10% of the number of passengers on
board shall be provided or such greater number as may be required to provide a
lifejacket for each child;

.2 a sufficient number of
lifejackets shall be carried for persons on watch and for use at remotely
located survival craft stations.

2.2 Lifejackets shall be so placed as to be readily accessible and
their position shall be plainly indicated. Whether, due to the particular
arrangements of the ship, the lifejackets provided in compliance with the
requirements of paragraph 2.1 may become inaccessible, alternative provisions
shall be made to the satisfaction of the Administration which may include an
increase in the number of lifejackets to be carried.

3 Immersion suits

3.1 An immersion suit, of an appropriate size, complying with the
requirements of regulation III/33 shall be provided for every person assigned
to crew the rescue boat.

Regulation 8.Muster list and emergency instructions

1 This regulation applies to all ships.

2 Clear instructions to be followed in the event of an emergency
shall be provided for every person on board.

3 Muster lists complying with the requirements of regulation
III/53 shall be exhibited in conspicuous places throughout the ship including
the navigating bridge, engine-room and crew accommodation spaces.

4 Illustrations and instructions in appropriate languages shall be
posted in passenger cabins and be conspicuously displayed at muster stations
and other passenger spaces to inform passengers of:

.1 their muster station;

.2 the essential actions
they must take in an emergency;

.3 the method of donning
lifejackets.

Regulation 9.Operating instructions

1 This regulation applies to all ships.

2 Posters or signs shall be provided on or in the vicinity of
survival craft and their launching controls and shall:

.1 illustrate the purpose of
controls and the procedures for operating the appliance and give relevant
instructions or warnings;

.2 be easily seen under
emergency lighting conditions;

.3 use symbols in accordance
with the recommendations of the Organization*.

Regulation 10.Manning of survival craft and supervision

1 This regulation applies to all ships.

2 There shall be a sufficient number of trained persons on board
for mustering and assisting untrained persons.

3 There shall be a sufficient number of crew members, who may be
deck officers or certificated persons on board, for operating the survival
craft and launching arrangements required for abandonment by the total number
of persons on board.

4 A deck officer or certificated person shall be placed in charge
of each survival craft to be used. However, the Administration, having due
regard to the nature of the voyage, the number of persons on board and the
characteristics of the ship, may permit persons practised in the handling and
operation of liferafts to be placed in charge of liferafts in lieu of persons
qualified as above. A second-in-command shall also be nominated in the case of
lifeboats.

5 The person in charge of the survival craft shall have a list of
the survival craft crew and shall see that the crew under his command are
acquainted with their duties. In lifeboats the second-in-command shall also
have a list of the lifeboat crew.

_________

* Reference is made to the
"Symbols Related to Life-Saving Appliances and Arrangements" adopted
by the Organization in resolution A.603(15).

6 Every motorized survival craft shall have a person assigned who
is capable of operating the engine and carrying out minor adjustments.

7 The master shall ensure the equitable distribution of persons
referred to in paragraphs 2, 3 and 4 among the ship's survival craft.

Regulation 11.Survival craft muster and embarkation arrangements

1 Lifeboats and liferafts for which approved launching appliances
are required shall be stowed as close to accommodation and service spaces as
possible.

2 Muster stations shall be provided close to the embarkation
stations. Each muster station shall have sufficient space to accommodate all
persons assigned to muster at that station.

3 Muster and embarkation stations shall be readily accessible from
accommodation and work areas.

4 Muster and embarkation stations shall be adequately illuminated
by lighting supplied from the emergency source of electrical power required by
regulation II-1/42 or 43, as appropriate.

5 Alleyways, stairways and exits giving access to the muster and
embarkation stations shall be lighted. Such lighting shall be capable of being
supplied by the emergency source of electrical power required by regulation
II-1/42 or 43, as appropriate.

6 Davit-launched survival craft muster and embarkation stations
shall be so arranged as to enable stretcher cases to be placed in survival
craft.

7 An embarkation ladder complying with the requirements of
regulation III/48.7 extending, in a single length, from the deck to the
waterline in the lightest seagoing condition under unfavorable conditions of
trim and with the ship listed not less than 15° either way shall be provided at
each launching station or at every two adjacent launching stations. However,
the Administration may permit such ladders to be replaced by approved devices
to afford access to the survival craft when waterborne, provided that there
shall be at least one embarkation ladder on each side of the ship. Other means
of embarkation may be permitted for the liferafts required by regulation
III/26.1.4.

8 Where necessary, means shall be provided for bringing the
davit-launched survival craft against the ship's side and holding them
alongside so that persons can be safety embarked.

Regulation 12.
Launching stations

Launching stations shall be in such positions as to ensure safe
launching having particular regard to clearance from the propeller and steeply
overhanging portions of the hull and so that, as far as possible, survival
craft, except survival craft specially designed for free-fall launching, can be
launched down the straight side of the ship.

If positioned forward, they shall be located abaft the collision
bulkhead in a sheltered position and, in this respect, the Administration shall
give special consideration to the strength of the launching appliance.

Regulation 13.
Stowage of survival craft

1 Each survival craft shall be stowed:

.1 so that neither the
survival craft nor its stowage arrangements will interfere with the operation
of any other survival craft or rescue boat at any other launching station;

.2 as near the water surface
as is safe and practicable and, in the case of a survival craft other than a
liferaft intended for throw-overboard launching, in such a position that the
survival craft in the embarkation position is not less than 2 m above the
waterline with the ship in the fully loaded condition under unfavorable
conditions of trim and listed up to 20° either way, or to the angle at which
the ship's weather deck edge becomes submerged, whichever is less;

.3 in a state of continuous
readiness so that two crew members can carry out preparations for embarkation
and launching in less than 5 min;

.4 fully equipped as
required by this chapter;

.5 as far as practicable, in
a secure and sheltered position and protected from damage by fire and
explosion.